Restraining device



Sept. 24, 1940. E. c. CONDXT RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed Oct. 7, 195aINVENTOR fsfefla C 60/70 17? BY ATTORNEYS z I Patented Sept. 24, 1940UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a restraining device. It has to do, moreparticularly, with a device adapted to securely hold the patient, who isdelirious, unruly or insane, in a bed so as to prevent which entirelyenvelops the patient and is comheated and uncomfortable.

monly known as a strait jacket. One of the disadvantages of this priorart device is that due to the fact that it completely envelops thepatient, it causes the patient to become over- Also, this type of deviceholds the patient in a cramped and tiring position. There have beenother types of restraining devices which do not completely envelop thepatient. However, these devices have usually been of such a nature thatthey do not completely restrain the patient or are such that they holdthe patient in a very uncomfortable position.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a restraining devicewhich will completely restrain the patient but will permit limitedmovement in order to prevent fatigue.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the typeindicated which is such that a variable degree of restraint may beprovided.

Another object of my invention is to provide a restraining device whichmay be readily adjusted to fit difierent sized patients or to beemployed with beds of diiferent sizes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a restraining device of thetype indicated which may be applied and removed with ease and rapidity.

Another object of my invention is to provide a restraining device whichwill not only completely restrain the patient but which is of such anature that the patient will be held in a comfortable position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a restraining device whichis of such a nature that it may be adjusted to permit the patient to becared for without total loss of restraint.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing wherein similar characters of reference designatecorresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing two of the restraining devicesmade according to my invention being employed for holding a patient in areclining position on a bed.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a restraining device made according tomy invention.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken substantially along line 3-3 ofFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the two restraining devices used at theright and left-hand sides of the patient. 5

As shown in the drawing, my restraining device comprises a long heavywide strap l which is preferably made of suitable heavy flexible canvasalthough leather or other suitable materials may be employed. This mainstrap 1 as indicated in Figure 1 is adapted to extend longitudinally ofthe patient at one side of the patient and will be disposed beneath thepatient. At one end the main strap I has a leather strap 2 attachedthereto as at 3. This leather strap 2 5 cooperates with a buckle 4 whichis secured to the end of the main strap. The strap is provided with aplurality of openings 5 so that it may be secured to the buckle indifierent positions. This strap is adapted to cooperate with the trans-20 versely extending lower bar of the head of the bed or with any otherconvenient member. The opposite end of the main strap I has a leatherstrap 6 secured to the end of the main strap as at I. This strapcooperates with a buckle 8 which 5 is also secured to the main strap. Asindicated in Figure 1, this strap 6 is adapted to cooperate with thelower transverse bar of the foot of the bed. Substantially midwaybetween the ends of the main strap I it is provided with a transverselyextending strap 9 which has its inner end suitably fastened thereto.This strap 9 carries a buckle 9a with which'the outer perforated portion9b of the strap will cooperate. The end oi' the strap 9 is adapted to beattached to the rail of the bed, as indicated in Figure 1. Thusythe mainstrap I will be secured to the bed at both ends and intermediate itsends.

The main strap I carries a cufif member I0 adapted to be applied to theupper portion of 40 the arm of the patient, a cufl member l l adapted tobe applied to the wrist of the patient, a cuff member l2 adapted to beapplied to the thigh of the patient and a cufi member I3'adapted to -beapplied to 'the ankle of the patient. As indicated, these cuff membersare disposed in properly spaced relationship longitudinally of the mainstrap.

The cufi' members H], H and I2 are of identical construction. Each cuflmember comprises a leather strap M which passes through a loop I! whichmay be stitched to the lower surface of the strap I. This strap I4 isprovided with a pair of extensions I8 on one end which carry bucklemembers l9. The opposite end of this strap is vices.

in opposite directions.

provided with a pair of perforated extensions 20 which will cooperatewith the buckles I9. A second wide strap 2| is stitched to the strap I4intermediate the ends of strap 2| as at 22 and close to the buckles I9.Both ends of the strap 2| are free. The outer surface of the strap 2| isprovided with a pair of loops 23 through which the extensions 20 pass.The strap 2| will be disposed above the strap I and the ends thereofwill overlap each other when applied to the patient. The strap 2| willcompletely protect the patient from injury by the buckles. l9. It willbe noted that the loops I! are substantially wider than the straps l3.This will permit limited longitudinal movement of each of these cuffsrelative to the main strap I. In order to permit the cuff member II tobe adjusted longitudinally of the strap I, so that the device will'fitdifferent patients, a pair of loops Ila are provided adjacent each otherwith which the cuif member II may cooperate. Due to this permissibleadjustment of the cuff member II and adjustment of the main strap llongitudinally of the bed, which may be accomplished by adjusting straps2 and 6, the device will fit any sized patient.

The cufi member l3 for cooperating with the ankle of. the patient isslightly different. This member I3 embodies a wide leather strap whichmay be riveted or otherwise secured'to the upper surface of the mainstrap I as at 24. This member is provided with a pair of perforatedstrap extensions 25 at one end thereof and a pair of cooperating buckles26 which are secured thereto at a point spaced from the opposite end ofthe strap. Thus, a portion of the strap will lie underneath the bucklesand 'Will prevent them from injuring the patient.

It will be apparent that when. using this device, in order to completelyrestrain the patient, it will be necessary to employ two of these de-These devices will be exactly the same with the exception that thestraps 9 will extend The main straps I are secured to the bed at eachside thereof so that they will be disposed under the patient at eachside of the patient. However, they will be so disposed that the weightof the patient will not rest thereon, which will make the patient morecomfortable. As indicated before, the main strap may be adjustedlongitudinally of the bed so that the cuffs II], II, I2 and I3 will bedisposed in the proper positions. Furthermore, the cuff member I I maybe removed and replaced in either of the loops I'Ia so that it will bein proper position to fit on the wrist of the patient. The various'cuifmembers may be secured around the arms and legs of the patient. It willbe apparent that these restraining devices will completely restrain thepatient and hold him in position on the bed. However, due to the factthat the cuff members ID, I l and 12 can move to a limited extentlongitudinally of the main strap I, limited movement of the patient willbe permitted thereby preventing excessive fatigue.

It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided arestraining device having many advantages. It will completely restrainthe patient but will hold him in a comfortable position and will permitlimited movement to prevent excessive fatigue. It can be readilyadjusted to provide a variable degree of restraint. Furthermore, it canbe adjusted readily to accommodate patients of different sizes or can beadjusted readily so that it may be employed with beds of differentsizes. It is of such a nature that it renders possible restraint ofpatients with missing members or limbs. It permits patients to be caredfor without total loss of restraint. Either arm or leg or portionsthereof may be released independently of the others. The device is ofsuch a nature that it may be applied and removed with ease and rapidity.It permits the handling of the most violent patient in a humane manner.Furthermore, the device will restrain the patient to a certain degreeeven when not secured to a bed or similar member. Consequently, it isuseful for restricting movement of a patient, for example, While beingtransported in an ambulance. It is of such design and of such materialsas to reduce chafing to a minimum.

Many other advantages will be apparent from the drawing, the precedingdescription and the following claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A restraining device comprising a long main strap member adapted toextend longitudinally of the patient and to be disposed beneath thepatient in a reclining position upon a bed and adjacent one side of thepatient, a buckle and strap arrangement associated with one end of saidmain strap for securing said main strap to the head of the bed, a buckleand strap arrangement associated with the opposite end of said mainstrap for securing said main strap to the foot of the bed, a buckle andstrap arrangement associated with said main strap substantially midwaybetween the ends thereof for securing said main strap to the rail of thebed, and an adjustable cuif member adapted to be applied to the upperportion of the arm of the patient secured to said main strap adjacentthe upper end thereof for limited longitudinal movement, said cuifmember including a strap passing through a loop secured to said mainstrap, a similar adjustable cuff member adapted to be applied to thewrist of the patient secured to said main strap for limited longitudinalmovement at a point spaced from the first-named cuif member, said mainstrap being provided with a plurality of loops with which saidlast-named cuif member may cooperate, a similar adjustable cuff memberadapted to be applied to the thigh of the patient secured to said mainstrap for limited longitudinal movement at a point spaced from the Wristcuff memher, and an adjustable cuff member adapted to be applied to theankle of the patient secured to said main strap adjacent the lower endthereof.

ESTELLA C. CONDIT.

